A cross-section of the fake body tissue, showing the skin on top and muscle tissue below

The underside of the fake tissue "pad"

Suturing is performed jut like in a real operation

The surgeon makes a cut into the artificial tissue, which bleeds in a way closely resembling real animal flesh

An open wound ... realistic looking although it's fake body tissue

A stitch in time ... artificial animal body tissue is helping veterinarian students gain confidence and skills before operating on live patients

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Article Summary

It’s vital that surgeons, whether operating on humans or animals, are familiar with how body tissue feels and reacts before conducting their inaugural operation. However, until recently, many veterinarian students were practicing basic surgical and suturing procedures on carpet pads and pig’s feet before moving on to their first “live” patient. But an invention by Colorado State University (CSU) veterinarians has provided students with a substrate that is infinitely closer to the real thing by developing artificial body parts that closely resemble real skin, muscles and vessels – they can even bleed! Of course the real benefit is that no animals (or humans) are hurt in the procedures.